The attacker, or attackers, are manifestly disturbed before the completion of their work, whatever their ultimate intent may have been.

And yet there is no possible sign of their escape; no clue, no disturbance of anything; no open door or window; no sound.

Nothing whatever to show who had done the deed, or even that a deed has been done; except the victim, and his surroundings incidental to the deed! "The next night a similar attempt is made, though the house is full of wakeful people; and though there are on watch in the room and around it a detective officer, a trained nurse, an earnest friend, and the man's own daughter.

The nurse is thrown into a catalepsy, and the watching friend--though protected by a respirator--into a deep sleep.

Even the detective is so far overcome with some phase of stupor that he fires off his pistol in the sick-room, and can't even tell what he thought he was firing at.